G8way Argentina
Grade Level: Grade 8, Class of 2031
Travel Dates: November 18–25, 2026
Travel Dates: November 18–25, 2026
GATEway: Global Access To Education
GATEway (Global Access To Education) brings the MCDS mission to life by extending learning beyond campus and into communities around the world.
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Designed and led by Miami Country Day School educators, GATEway transforms travel into meaningful academic experiences that connect students with new cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking.
More than a travel program, GATEway is an extension of the MCDS educational experience. Beginning in Lower School and continuing through Middle and Upper School, students engage in age-appropriate experiences that encourage curiosity,
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Whether exploring Miami’s diverse communities, participating in academic and cultural seminars, living abroad, or engaging in service learning, students return with new knowledge, greater confidence, and a broader perspective.
As students grow, so do their opportunities. Middle School GATEmates participate in immersive academic and cultural experiences that enrich classroom learning, while Upper School students may earn academic credit through international study and work toward a Global Studies Diploma Endorsement. Every GATEway experience is intentionally designed to prepare students to learn with purpose and engage thoughtfully as global citizens.
Your GATEway Starts Here
Every GATEway experience is an invitation to discover new places, embrace different cultures, and grow through meaningful learning. Designed and led by Miami Country Day School educators, our academic, cultural, and service-learning programs extend the classroom into the world, giving students opportunities to build confidence, broaden their perspectives, and develop as thoughtful global citizens.
Explore this year’s GATEway programs below to learn more about each experience, view trip details, and register online.
Quick Highlights
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4Buenos Aires Neighborhoods to Explore
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3Countries Meet in the Iguazú Region
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2Nights at Iguazú Falls
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1Day Experiencing Gaucho Life
About the Program
Students will explore Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls through cultural immersion, history, food, and adventure. Highlights include an estancia experience, Argentine cooking, Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires neighborhoods, and Iguazú Falls.
Program Snapshot
Experience Argentina through culture, tradition, food, history, and adventure. Students explore the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, step into gaucho life on an estancia, experience Argentine food traditions, and travel north to the remarkable landscapes of Iguazú Falls.
GATEway Jr. Panamá
Grade Levels: Grades 6 and 7, Classes of 2032 and 2033
Travel Dates: February 12–17, 2027
Travel Dates: February 12–17, 2027
Quick Highlights
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2Continents Connected by Panamá
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1Iconic Panama Canal
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2Hands-On Culinary Experiences
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1Community Service Day
About the Program
Students will stay in historic Casco Viejo and explore Panamá’s culture, history, environment, and communities. Highlights include the Panamá Canal, an Emberá community experience, jungle and wildlife exploration, cooking and chocolate-making activities, a service day, and a catamaran excursion to Taboga Island.
Program Snapshot
Experience Panamá through history, culture, nature, community, and adventure. Students explore historic Casco Viejo, encounter wildlife in the jungle, connect with an Indigenous community, participate in hands-on service, discover local food traditions, and see the Panama Canal in action.
GATEway Service Honduras
Grade Levels: Upper School
Travel Dates: November 19–25, 2026
Travel Dates: November 19–25, 2026
Quick Highlights
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6400+Hours of On-Site Service
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160+MCDS Volunteers Since 2019
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2019Partnership With SAN Began
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YEAR-ROUNDService, Collections & Fundraising
About the Program
An application-based Upper School service-learning experience focused on community engagement, cultural immersion, collaboration, and meaningful service.
Program Snapshot
Service in Honduras is rooted in an ongoing relationship with Sociedad Amigos de los Niños (SAN). Students work alongside the community on meaningful projects while building friendships, listening, learning, and experiencing how service and global citizenship grow through genuine human connection.
GATEway Service Puerto Rico
Grade Levels: Upper School
Travel Dates: February 13-17, 2027
Travel Dates: February 13-17, 2027
Quick Highlights
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3Days of Hands-On Service
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1Home Handover & Community Celebration
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3Cultural & Outdoor Exploration Experiences
About the Program
An application-based Upper School service-learning trip in partnership with Hunger Corp. Students will participate in community-based service, including home-building activities, while developing teamwork, leadership, reflection, and cultural understanding.
Program Snapshot
Experience Puerto Rico through meaningful service, cultural exploration, and hands-on learning. Students partner with Hunger Corp in Dorado to support a local housing project, connect with the community, explore Puerto Rico’s natural beauty, and reflect on how service, culture, and collaboration can create lasting impact.
New Experience
Students will also experience El Yunque National Forest, local beaches, Old San Juan, salsa, and Puerto Rican cuisine as part of the journey.
Summer GATEway: Japan
Grade Levels: Grades 9, 10, and 11, Classes of 2028, 2029, and 2030
Proposed Travel Dates: June 5–27, 2027
Proposed Travel Dates: June 5–27, 2027
Quick Highlights
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9Destinations Across Japan
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3Pre-Trip Learning Sessions
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2Nights in Traditional Accommodations
About the Program
A comprehensive educational journey exploring Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka. Highlights include cultural exchange, robotics and emerging technology, teamLab, the Shinkansen, historic temples, Hiroshima peace education, DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan.
Program Snapshot
Discover Japan’s past, present, and future through a journey that brings centuries-old traditions together with contemporary culture, science, and technology. Students travel across the country, connect with local students, experience cultural traditions, explore emerging technologies, and learn to navigate Japan like a local.
Explore GATEway Destinations
A World of Purposeful Learning
Each GATEway destination is intentionally selected to extend learning beyond the classroom through meaningful academic, cultural, and service experiences. Designed and led by MCDS educators, every program helps students broaden their perspectives, deepen their understanding of the world, and grow as global citizens.
Europe
Spain
Year of Program: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Students Participated: 108
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
France
Year of Program: 2016, 2017, 2020
Students Participated: 21
Initiative Purpose: Mission
Switzerland
Year of Program: 2018, 2019
Students Participated: 49
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Italy
Year of Program: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022
Students Participated: 118
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
United Kingdom
Year of Program: 2015, 2017, 2022
Students Participated: 65
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Iceland
Year of Program: 2018
Students Participated: 26
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Ireland
Year of Program: 2022
Students Participated: 35
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Greece
Year of Program: 2011
Students Participated: 11
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Finland
Year of Program: 2019, 2022
Students Participated: 22
Initiative Purpose: Student Exchange
North America
Canada
Year of Program: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022
Students Participated: 93
Initiative Purpose: Leadership Development, Academic and Cultural Study
Bermuda
Year of Program: 2011, 2019
Students Participated: 36
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Puerto Rico
Year of Program: 2015, 2016, 2020
Students Participated: 59
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Honduras
Year of Program: 2019
Students Participated: 36
Initiative Purpose: Mission Experience
Costa Rica
Year of Program: 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Students Participated: 181
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Panama
Year of Program: 2019
Students Participated: 22
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
South America
Peru
Year of Program: 2015
Students Participated: 9
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Colombia
Year of Program: 2014, 2016
Students Participated: 35
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Galapagos Ecuador
Year of Program: 2017, 2022
Students Participated: 56
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Argentina
Year of Program: 2017
Students Participated: 17
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
Africa
South Africa
Year of Program: 2018
Students Participated: 15
Initiative Purpose: Mission Experience
Asia
China
Year of Program: 2017, 2018
Students Participated: 31
Initiative Purpose: Academic and Cultural Study
pretitle if needed
Why Families Choose MCDS
Miami Country Day offers a holistic education that prepares students for lifelong learning. Students are encouraged to develop their intellectual, physical, aesthetic, social, emotional, and spiritual potential while discovering their interests across a wide range of programs and experiences.
PK3–12
experience on one Miami campus
Small class sizes
& dedicated teachers
Connected Families
A strong home-school partnership
Scholarly Growth
Rigorous academic, STEM, arts, and athletic opportunities
Strong Community
A community grounded in shared values
Future Leaders
Experiences that help students explore purpose, leadership, service, and global citizenship
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Whether your child is preparing for their first local exploration or an international academic experience, GATEway offers meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and discover the world.
